The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-26
The Advance Guard of Vast Army of
Veterans Reaches st. Louis.
The Pacific Slope Sends a Large Contingent
with the Accomplishments Usually Attend
ing Delegations from that Section.
Mayor Francis Will Permit No Objec-
tionabIe Banners To Be Displayed.
General Sherman Declares. with His Usual
Emphasis. that He Will Not Be Cam
didate for Commander-in-C Chief.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
ST. Louis. Sept. 25.-If the pastors of many
of the city churches preached to smaller audi
ences than usual this morning, and if there were
great many empty benches at the Sunday
schools in the afternoon it was solely because
the people of St. Louis, both young and old,
were obeying the Scriptural injunction to give
welcome to the stranger that came within their
gates. Right royal. indeed despite the proverb-
ial sanctity of the day, was the reception ac-
corded the advance guard of the veteran ex-
soldiers of the Republic who crossed the big
bridge between daylight and dark. Huzzas
from thousands of throats greeted them as they
aliGhted from their trains, and the
march to their respective headquarters
under numberless arches, and through
miles CT gaily decorated streets,
was one continual ovation. 1t was a great Sum
day for St. Louis, and a memorable one for
those of its guests who had fought and bled that
the Union might be preserved. The train that
carried the Wisconsin delegation was the first
to arrive. The clock in the city hall was strik-
ing when it came to full stop il the Union
Depot There were thousands inside, and as
many more outside. Seventeen OF the boys in
blue, forming the special escort to Governor
Rusk, alighted from the forward car Nine
of them were minus arm, Eve had
but one leg apiece, and two
were crutches. Back of them
appeared the towering form Of the Governor
himself, and the eighteen formed in line with
Robert Chivers Post. of Milwaukee. and it's fife
and drum corps at their head. volume of
cheers went up that fairly shook the roof of the
structure. The ovation was repeated when the
dali ftnu arriu in IF
three times three given by the occupants of
the crowded lobby the veterans marched
through in single file. In the ladies' parlor a
local committee in waiting to welcome
them. If you anything you want. ask for
it," said COL ID. p. Dwyer, its spokesman; ''if
you don't see any body to ask. take it." The
Governor promised that ths injunction would be
strictly obeyed
Fifty comrades from Albany Utica. Syracuse
and Buffalo, in Escort Of department. commander
George d. Treadwell, came in about o'clock.
With them were a score of members of the
Won4ens Relief Corps. A thousand more of the
comrades from New York State will be here TO-
morrow.
On the same train was delegation of twenty
from tho convention OF tho ex- prisoners of war,
held in Chicago last week, with G. W Mcintosh,
of that city, At it's head. They will present to
the National Encampment tho resolutions
adopted by the convention, urging the granting
of special pensions to sxprisoners. and will ask
their Endorsement
Six hundred boxes OF wine aud two carloads
of fruit and agricultural products were in the
baggage cars the rear end of the train that
brou ght in the California delegation this after
noon. The posts not only of California, but Of
Nevada Arizona and a solitary that has been
h-1x, - xSr -, h. -,nf,; ;~l~ Il,
were represented in the delegation. and jollier
crowd could scarcely be imagined. Headquar-
ters were at once established at the Ilaclede.
-Four hundred boxes OF the wine were conveyed
to the ante-room. and committee was dis
patched to notify the posts at the other hosteries
that the Californians were keeping open house.
Still another committee was appointed to corral
any of Grand Army badge
to be found upon the streets. Few Of
them needed a second invitation and for the
rest of the day and evening standing room in
the headquarters and their approaches was at
premium There are nearly 300 comrades in
the delegation, together with 150 members of
the Women's Relief Corps. the largest delega-
ton of this order from any department Taere
was q caucus, this evening. of the Californians,
and 1t is reported that it had reference to a
nominee for commander in chief. This, how
ever, denied by Department Commands G.
s. Solomon, and Assistant Adjutant general
Taylor, who also gave emphatic denial to the
statement telegraphed from San Francisco that
the majority of the delegation had decided to
question. they said. had not been discussed.
either before leaving home route. and the
delegation is entirely unpledged.
About 500 of the Kansas aud Nebraska vet
erans came in tonight. and 1900 additional
from the same regions will be here before day
light. Their badges attached to a silver
erasshoppsr with metal supfiower pendant.
The Californian insignia is gold plated grizzly
bear.
Tonight a small army of workmen is engaged
in giving the finishing touches to the decora-
tions the buildings in the business center OF
the city while the visitors fraternizinR at
each others headquarters. Interviews with
many of tho delegates already upon the ground
Indicate that decided effort will be made to
suppress any discussion of the rsbel-iag matter
in the meetings of the National Encampment,
and the indications are that any attempt to
raise that question will be vigorously sat down
upon. will any opportunity be
afforded, during tho parade on Tuesday, for
repstirion of the Wheeling incident No Ceve-
lond banners will be swung the heads of
the marching hosts: at least, this is the deter
mnation-oficially promulgated-of Mayor
Francis. who saws that he does not propose that
any persons in search of cheap notoriety shall
attain it at the expense of the hospitality that
St. Louis desires to sxtend to the veterans. Ap-
pcations were made to him to-day for perms-
sion to hang the banners OF the California,
Kansas, and other departments on rope attached
the opposite building from their head
quarters, but in each case refusal was re-
turned. and attention was called to city
dinanee which imposes penalty of 50 per day
for hanging over the street line any flag or ban
ner other than the stars and stripes. This law
the Mayor intends to strictly enforce.
List of the Early Arrivals.
To the Western Associated Press.
ST Louis, Sept. 25. The boys in blue are
gathering at the camping grounds, and the
streets of St Louis sprnkled with Grand
Army men with breasts decKsd with copper and
ribbon badges The thoroughfares were crowded
with strangers all day, and from the depots
crowds of visitors pressed to and fro. The beat
of the drum and whistle of the fife grows